Life Experiences Survey Research Articles

Psychological impact of life events in systemic lupus erythematosus patients - Differences between flares and remission.

Stress has been linked to worsening symptoms and increased disease activity in patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Life-events are individual stress points, and there is conflicting evidence regarding their role in SLE activity and disease perception. Adult SLE patients were recruited for the study. Clinical and laboratory features of SLE were recorded, and previous diagnosis of anxiety or depression were retrieved from patients' electronic charts. Flares were defined by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity (SLEDAI) flare Index, and flares during the previous year were documented. During a routine visit, they completed validated Portuguese translations of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Life Experience Survey (LES) for the previous year. A total of 47 female SLE patients were recruited. Ten patients (21.3%) had experienced recent flares. Patients with recent flares reported fewer life events, with lower positive, negative, and total weightings sums compared to those without recent flares. Although 42.2% of patients perceived pathological levels of stress in the previous month, 48.9% had anxiety symptoms, and 34% were at high risk for an anxiety disorder, these psychometric measures did not differ significantly between the recent flare and no-flare groups. There is a high prevalence of pathological levels of stress among SLE patients. SLE patients with recent flares report less psychological impact from life events, both positive and negative, independent of other psychological or pharmacological factors.

Interpersonal Sensitivity as a Mediator of the Effect of Childhood Parenting Quality on Depressive Symptoms.

The aim of this study was to analyze whether interpersonal sensitivity mediates the effect of qualitative parenting characteristics experienced during childhood on the appraisal of life experiences and depression severity during adulthood in adult community volunteers. A total of 404 Japanese adult volunteers answered the following four self-report questionnaires: Parental Bonding Instrument, Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure, Life Experiences Survey, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze whether childhood parenting quality increases depressive symptom severity through interpersonal sensitivity, which then affects the appraisal of recent life events. In the two structural equation models, inadequate care and excessive overprotection received during childhood were associated with the negative evaluation of life experiences and depression severity in adulthood through high interpersonal sensitivity. Our findings indicate interpersonal sensitivity as a mediator of the effect of inadequate care and excessive overprotection experienced in childhood on the negative evaluation of life experiences and depression severity in adulthood.

Impact of dysfunctional parenting, affective temperaments, and stressful life events on the development of melancholic and non-melancholic depression: A path analysis study.

The influence of psychosocial factors on differentiating between melancholic depression (MEL) and non-melancholic depression (NMEL) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interrelationship between dysfunctional parenting, personality traits, stressful life events, and the diagnosis of MEL and NMEL among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Ninety-eight patients with MDD completed the following self-administered questionnaires: the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) for dysfunctional parenting, the short version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-autoquestionnaire version (TEMPS-A) for affective temperaments, and the Life Experiences Survey (LES) for stressful life events. The data were analyzed using single and multiple regression analyses and path analysis. Dysfunctional parenting did not have a significant direct effect on MEL. However, paternal care had a significant indirect effect on MEL through depressive temperament. The total indirect effect of paternal care on MEL was significant (indirect path coefficient = 0.161, p <0.05). In other words, low levels of paternal care were associated with the development of NMEL via increased depressive temperament. None of the paths from paternal care to MEL via negative change scores of the LES were significant. This study used cross-sectional data, so the possibility that current depressive status may affect the assessment of LES and TEMPS-A cannot be ruled out. We found that low levels of paternal care did not directly affect the development of NMEL, but affected the development of NMEL through the mediation of depressive temperament rather than stressful life events.

Lifetime prevalence of owner-reported medical conditions in the 25 most common dog breeds in the Dog Aging Project pack.

Large scale data on the prevalence of diverse medical conditions among dog breeds in the United States are sparse. This cross-sectional study sought to estimate the lifetime prevalence of medical conditions among US dogs and to determine whether purebred dogs have higher lifetime prevalence of specific medical conditions compared to mixed-breed dogs. Using owner-reported survey data collected through the Dog Aging Project (DAP) Health and Life Experience Survey for 27,541 companion dogs, we identified the 10 most commonly reported medical conditions in each of the 25 most common dog breeds within the DAP cohort. Lifetime prevalence estimates of these medical conditions were compared between mixed-breed and purebred populations. The frequency of dogs for whom no medical conditions were reported was also assessed within each breed and the overall mixed-breed and purebred populations. A total of 53 medical conditions comprised the top 10 conditions for the 25 most popular breeds. The number of dogs for whom no medical conditions were reported was significantly different (p = 0.002) between purebred (22.3%) and mixed-breed dogs (20.7%). The medical conditions most frequently reported within the top 10 conditions across breeds were dental calculus (in 24 out of 25 breeds), dog bite (23/25), extracted teeth (21/25), osteoarthritis (15/25), and Giardia (15/25). Purebred dogs in the DAP did not show higher lifetime prevalence of medical conditions compared to mixed-breed dogs, and a higher proportion of purebred dogs than mixed-breed dogs had no owner-reported medical conditions. Individual breeds may still show higher lifetime prevalence for specific conditions.

Neuroticism mediates the association between childhood abuse and the well-being of community dwelling adult volunteers

BackgroundPrevious studies reported that the experience of maltreatment in childhood reduces subjective well-being in adulthood and that neuroticism is negatively associated with subjective well-being. However, the interrelationship between childhood maltreatment, adult life events, neuroticism, and subjective well-being has not been analyzed to date.MethodsA total of 404 adult volunteers provided responses to the following questionnaires: 1) Childhood Abuse and Trauma Scale, 2) Life Experiences Survey, 3) Neuroticism Subscale of the Shortened Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised, and 4) Subjective Well-Being Inventory. The path model was used to analyze possible interrelationships among these parameters.ResultsThe effect of childhood abuse on subjective well-being was indirect and was mediated by neuroticism. The effect of neuroticism on the negative, but not positive, change score on the Life Experiences Survey was significant. The indirect effect of neuroticism on subjective well-being was not significant via either negative or positive change scores.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that age, subjective social status, neuroticism, and negative and positive life events were significantly associated with subjective well-being. Furthermore, using path analysis, we demonstrated the mediating role of neuroticism in the indirect effect of childhood abuse on subjective well-being.

0324 Protective and Risk Factors for Insomnia Over 5 Years in a Population-Based Sample of Adults

Abstract Introduction Insomnia is a major public health concern and one of the most prevalent health issues among adults. Identifying protective and risk factors for insomnia could help identify vulnerable populations and design public health interventions to prevent some adverse medical and mental health consequences. The study objective was to identify protective and risk factors for insomnia in a population-based sample of adults. Methods Data is from a large epidemiological cohort study on the natural course of insomnia conducted in Canada before the COVID-19 pandemic. Insomnia and potential protective and risk factors for insomnia were measured annually over 5 years with validated questionnaires (e.g., Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test, Arousal Predisposition Scale, Life Experiences Survey). Risk factors for insomnia were divided as predisposing or precipitating factors. Results From a cohort of 3,413 participants 1,709 adults were identified as good sleepers at baseline and were included in the analyses. A total of 202 people developed an insomnia syndrome during the 5-year follow-up. Using survival analysis for discrete events, the following variables were significant predisposing factors for insomnia: anxiety (HR=1.037; p=0.018), depression (HR=1.082; p&amp;lt; 0.001), perceived stress (HR=1.073; p&amp;lt; 0.001), number of negative life events (HR=1.478; p=0.02), perceived worse general health (HR=1.606; p=0.006), pain (HR=1.475; p=0.002), vulnerability to stress (HR=1.089; p&amp;lt; 0.001), and maladaptive emotional coping (HR=1.044; p&amp;lt; 0.001). The following variables were identified as precipitating factors for insomnia: loss of income (HR=1.346; p=0.03), increased anxiety (HR=1.070, p&amp;lt; 0.001), depression (HR=1.119; p&amp;lt; 0.001) and perceived stress (HR=1.083; p=0.001), decline in perceived general health (HR=2.061; p=0.006), and increased pain (HR=1.353; p=0.013). Physical activity was not a significant protective factor for insomnia (p=0.54). Conclusion These results provide new information that could be helpful to prevent the onset and chronicity of insomnia by targeting specific precipitating factors, and people with predisposing factors for insomnia. This is important as insomnia tends to be a persistent condition and is known to increase adverse medical and mental health outcomes. Support (if any) This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The Influence of Life Stress and Sleep Disturbance on White Matter Integrity.

This study investigated whether sleep and stress mutually interact to induce changes in white matter integrity. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was conducted on 36 participants (male=22, female=14; mean age=38.33±12.78 years). Participants were divided into three groups depending on their sleep quality and stress levels: poor sleepers with stress, poor sleepers without stress, and good sleepers. Sleep quality and stress level were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Life Experiences Survey, respectively. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were calculated employing DTI tractography. After controlling for age and sex, poor sleepers with stress exhibited a lower FA of the left inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP) than did poor sleepers without stress (t=2.81, p=0.02). Poor sleepers without stress showed a higher FA of the right middle longitudinal fasciculus (MdLF) than did good sleepers (t=3.35, p=0.006). The current study reports the effects of sleep, stress, and their interaction on the white matter integrities of the ICP and MdLF. ICP change seems to be associated with sleep disturbances related to stress, while MdLF change would be associated with sleep disturbances unrelated to stress.

Interpersonal sensitivity mediates the effects of perceived parenting styles on state anxiety and negative assessment of life events in adult volunteers from the community.

The association of parenting experiences in childhood with anxiety symptoms in adulthood has yet to be clarified. We hypothesized that interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) mediates the impacts of parenting experiences in childhood on anxiety symptoms and negative assessment of life events in adulthood. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2014 to August 2014 on 853 adults. Participants provided their demographic information and answered the following four self-administered questionnaires: Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), Life Experiences Survey (LES), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y). The data of a total of 404 participants who agreed to take part in this study were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis with the State Anxiety subscale of STAI-Y as the dependent variable identified the following five out of the 15 independent variables as being statistically significant: IPSM total, LES positive and negative, PBI paternal overprotection, and employment status. This model explains 17.8% of the State Anxiety subscale score. In the structural equation models, the Care subscale showed significant indirect negative effects on State Anxiety subscale and LES negative score through a decrease in IPSM total score (β = -0.061 and -0.042, respectively). The former indirect effect accounted for 31.6%, and the latter accounted for 56.8% of the total effects. In contrast, Overprotection subscale had opposite effects to Care subscale. These results suggest that parenting experiences in childhood are related to adult anxiety symptoms and the negative assessment of life events indirectly through IPS.

Inflammatory burden of adolescents with childhood maltreatment: results from baseline data of a school cohort.

Increasing studies have investigated inflammatory burden of adults with childhood adversity, but less is known about how childhood maltreatment affects the inflammation level of adolescents. Baseline data of a school cohort of physical and mental health status and life experience survey on primary and secondary school students in Anhui Province, China was used. Childhood maltreatment of children and adolescents was assessed by Chinese version of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF). Urine samples were collected to assess levels of soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between childhood maltreatment exposure and risk of high inflammation burden. A total of 844 students were included with mean age 11.41 ± 1.57years old. Adolescents with emotional abuse were significantly more likely to have high level of IL-6 (OR = 3.59, 95% CI 1.16-11.14). In addition, adolescents with emotional abuse were more likely to show high IL-6 and high suPAR combination (OR = 33.41, 95% CI 1.69-659.22), and high IL-6 and low CRP combination (OR = 4.34, 95% CI 1.29-14.55). Subgroup analyses showed that emotional abuse was associated with high IL-6 burden among boys or adolescents with depression. Childhood emotional abuse was positively associated with higher burden of IL-6. Early detection and prevention of emotional abuse for children and adolescents, especially for boys or adolescents with depression status, may be helpful for preventing elevated inflammatory burden and related health problems.

Stress-Related Immune Response and Selenium Status in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Patients.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), including Graves' disease (GD) or Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), occurs due to genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, among which the role of stressful events remains controversial. This study investigated the relationship between the number and impact of stressful life events in AITD patients with selenium status, and the Th1/Th2/Th17 immune response. The study population included three groups: HT (n = 47), GD (n = 13), and a control group (n = 49). Thyroid function parameters, autoantibody levels, and the plasma levels of cytokines, selenium, selenoprotein P (SeP), and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx) activity were measured. Participants filled out the Life Experiences Survey. No significant differences in the number of stressful life events were found among the patients with HT, GD, and the controls. A higher (median (interquartile range)) negative stress level (8 (4-12)) than a positive stress level (3 (1-9)) was found in the HT group. The HT group showed a correlation between SeP and the positive stress level: rs = -0.296, p = 0.048, and the GD group between GPx and the negative stress level (rs = -0.702, p = 0.011). Significant positive correlations between thyroid peroxidase antibody level and the total number of major life events (p = 0.023), the number of major life events in the last 7-12 months, and the number of major life events with no impact and a negative stress level were found. We suggest that the measurements of Th2-related cytokines and selenoproteins could be used as biomarkers for the development of AITD in cases where stress is considered a component cause of the pathogenic mechanism of the disease.

Perceptions of Racial and Gender Microaggressions in an Academic Orthopaedic Department.

A 34-question institutional review board-approved, modified version of the validated Racial and Ethnic Minorities Scale and Daily Life Experiences survey was sent to a total of 84 individuals at the University of Miami (UM) Department of Orthopaedics. Responses were anonymously collected from current UM orthopaedic residents, fellows, and attendings. Survey results were analyzed for the prevalence of microaggressions in the context of sex, race, ethnicity, academic goals, daily scenarios, and department support. p-Values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Fifty-four of 84 respondents (64%) completed the survey. Female respondents experienced significantly more gender-based microaggressions than male respondents. On average, male participants disagreed that their experiences with microaggressions made them doubt their ability to pursue a career in orthopaedic surgery while female participants responded they were neutral. In comparison with their White counterparts, non-White and Hispanic ethnicity participants demonstrated a statistically significantly greater frequency of race and ethnicity-based microaggressions. Our study demonstrates that female participants, non-White participants, and Hispanic minorities across all levels of training experience a higher frequency of microaggressions. The impact of these experiences on career decisions and goals for women and persons of color in orthopaedic surgery at this single institution is mixed. Experienced microaggressions should be further investigated as a potential barrier to recruitment and retention of under-represented minorities in orthopaedic surgery. III.

Application of a joint latent space item response model to clustering stressful life events and the Beck Depression Inventory-II: results from Korean epidemiological survey data.

According to previous findings, stressful life events (SLEs) and their subtypes are associated with depressive symptoms. However, few studies have explored potential models for these events and incidental symptoms of depression. Participants (3,966 men; 5,709 women) were recruited from the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Etiology Research Center cohort. SLEs were measured using a 47-item Life Experiences Survey (LES) with a standardized protocol. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Joint latent space item response models were applied by gender and age group (<50 vs. ≥50 years old). Among the LES items, death or illness of close relatives, legal problems, sexual difficulties, family relationships, and social relationships shared latent positions with major depressive symptoms regardless of gender or age. We also observed a gender-specific domain: occupational and family-related items. By projecting LES and BDI-II data onto the same interaction map for each subgroup, we could specify the associations between specific LES items and depressive symptoms.

A preliminary study of bullying on University of Nursing in Taiwan

Abstract Background According to the COVID-19 pandemic progress, the increase in online learning and communication, the survey shows that 36.3% of children have been bullied online (Children’s Welfare Alliance, 2021). However, campus bullying has long-term effects on students’ physiology and psychology, and will also extend to society in the future to form a social problem. Aims It is generally believed that university students are relatively mature and have more freedom in taking courses. They believe that there are few bullying incidents that need attention on university campuses. Therefore, to understand the patterns of bullying on university campuses of nursing in Taiwan through this study. Methods Referring to the definition and selecting the published within good reliability and validity of ‘University Students’ Campus Life Experience and Interpersonal Interaction Experience Survey', the subjects in domestic university campuses choose the closest answer according to their own situation. Results In a total of 2570 valid questionnaires, the highest incidence of verbal bullying (38%), and those who don't want to answer gender “experienced bullying in person” (42.9%). Gender was shown to be statistically significant in bullying experience (p=.017). It shows that university students of nursing in Taiwan have obvious room for improvement in gender issues. Conclusions Through this study, it is known that campus bullying exists in different types of experiences on university campuses of nursing in Taiwan. The bullying impact is often not only in school, and the impact will even extend to enter social work. Faculties must also be the gatekeepers of bullying prevention, but in fact, even senior faculties may not be very clear about what bullying is, how to properly handle bullying incidents, and how to prevent bullying, so every faculty should have the ability to take appropriate, fast and effective treatment when bullying occurs. Key messages • Campus bullying has long-term effects on students’ physiology and psychology, and will also extend to society in the future to form a social problem. • Verbal bullying (38%) had the highest incidence, those who don’t want to answer gender “experienced bullying in person” (42.9%).

Association of pain, analgesic, psychological, and socioeconomic factors with sub-acute pain after childbirth: A prospective cohort study

Study objectiveTo determine if acute postpartum pain, psychological distress, socioeconomic factors, and labor analgesia were associated with sub-acute pain after childbirth (SAPC; pain starting after childbirth and lasting between four weeks to three months). DesignProspective cohort study, from pre-conception to post-partum three months. SettingSingapore's major public maternity institution. PatientsWe included women planning to conceive within a year. We excluded women who were pregnant, taking chemotherapy or psychotropic medications, had diabetes mellitus, received assisted fertility interventions or contraception, did not conceive after 12 months, with multiple pregnancies, or who developed obstetric complications. InterventionsNone. MeasurementsWe investigated the relationship between average pain score during the three days after childbirth (primary exposure) and incidence of SAPC at postpartum three months (primary outcome). Secondarily, psychological distress at pre-conception (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Life Experiences Survey (LES)) and second trimester of pregnancy (BDI, EPDS, STAI, PSS, Pregnancy Experience Scale (PES)) were assessed. Baseline maternal and socioeconomic characteristics, labor analgesia, maternal and neonatal outcomes were also collected accordingly. Main resultsOf 317 women who met the study criteria, 30 (9.5%) developed SAPC. Higher average pain score during the three days after childbirth (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.46, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.82, p = 0.001), use of meperidine for labor analgesia (aOR 4.23, 95% CI 1.03 to 17.43, p = 0.046), higher pre-conception GHQ-12 score (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.27, p = 0.013), and lack of employment with income during pregnancy (aOR 9.62, 95% CI 3.07 to 30.30, p < 0.001) were independently associated with SAPC, with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.837. ConclusionsHigher acute postpartum pain scores, use of meperidine for labor analgesia, poorer pre-conception general psychological health, and lack of employment with income during pregnancy are associated with SAPC.

Associations between Self-Rated Health and Perinatal Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms among Latina Women.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine whether decreases in or consistently low preconception to pregnancy self-rated health (SRH) were associated with perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms among Latinas. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of 153 perinatal Latinas. Three groups were created to capture SRH from preconception to pregnancy: a decline in ratings, consistently low, and good+ (i.e., good, very good, or excellent). SRH was measured using two questions about their perceived physical health before and during pregnancy. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were assessed in the third trimester and six weeks postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Life stressors were assessed in pregnancy using a modified version of the Life Experiences Survey. Linear regressions tested the associations. Results: Women with consistently low (i.e., fair or poor) SRH reported significantly more prenatal depressive symptoms than women who reported consistently good+ SRH. Women who reported a decline in SRH to fair or poor reported more prenatal anxiety symptoms but decreased postpartum anxiety symptoms than women who reported consistently good+ ratings. Life stressors were positively associated with prenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Healthcare practitioners should assess changes in SRH ratings to identify risks for prenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms among Latinas, who have elevated rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to non-Hispanic White women. Policymakers should provide healthcare providers with mental health resources to support at-risk Latinas during the prenatal period.

Association of social network properties with resilience and depression among community-based Korean population

We aimed to determine how the properties of social networks relate to resilient-related status. This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center cohort and included 11,132 participants. Ego-centric social network size and intimacy were used to reflect social network properties. Resilient-related status was operationally defined based on the participant's response to the Life Experience Survey and the Back Depression Inventory Ⅱ. Participants were categorized into three groups: reference (no negative life event; no depression), resilient (with negative life event; but no depression), and depression (no/with negative life event; with depression). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the association of social networks on the resilient-related status after adjusting for all covariates. Social network size was positively associated with the resilient group for both sex (male: OR = 1.01 [95% CI = 0.96 to 1.05], female: OR = 1.07 [95% CI = 1.03 to 1.11]), whereas intimacy showed a negative association (male: OR = 0.91 [95% CI = 0.82 to 1.01], female: OR = 0.84 [95% CI = 0.76 to 0.92]). Additionally, as each social network property increased, the likelihood of being categorized as belonging to the depression group decreased, regardless of age and sex.

Stressful life events in pregnancy: A risk factor for exclusive breastfeeding among high-income mothers

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the association between prenatal stressful life events in pregnancy and breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration, defined according to the WHO. Study designFeeding practices were prospectively collected from 425 puerperae living in an industrialized area of Northeast Italy starting on the second day post-partum, when they filled out the Life Experience Survey (LES, 1978). ResultsIn this sample, analysis revealed that at discharge 65/358 (18.16 %) puerperae presented with a negative LES score and 293/358 (81.84 %) with a positive LES score. Puerperae with negative LES scores were more likely to adopt formula at discharge, either to complement breast milk or to substitute breast milk altogether (16/65; 24.62 % vs 43/293; 14.68 %; RR = 1.64 and 95 % CI: 1.01–2.70), and they were also more likely to adopt exclusive formula feeding at the 3rd month of life (8/48; 16.66 % versus 18/242; 7.44 %; RR = 2.03 and 95%CI: 1.06–3.86). At the 6th month of life, there were significantly less puerperae with a negative LES score who were breastfeeding exclusively (1/48; 2.08 vs 44/249; 17.67 %; RR = 0.11 and 95 % CI: 0.01–0.84) and correspondingly there were significantly more puerperae with a negative LES score who were using formula feeding with weaning practices (20/48; 41.67 % vs 35/249; 14.06 %; RR =3.14 and 95 % CI: 1.82–5.04). ConclusionsIdentification of specific barriers to breastfeeding related to negative life events in pregnancy may help direct providers' anticipatory guidance to improve breastfeeding rates in high-risk populations.

Roles of childhood maltreatment, personality traits, and life stress in the prediction of severe premenstrual symptoms

BackgroundAbout 3% to 8% of women of fertile age are thought to have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is regarded as a serious form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), although the details of this common condition remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the interrelations of childhood maltreatment, personality traits, and life stress in the etiology of PMS/PMDD.MethodsA total of 240 adult female volunteers from a community in Japan were investigated, using the following 5 questionnaires: Patient Health Quesstionaire-9, Child Abuse and Trauma Scale, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Life Experiences Survey, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) scale. The questionnaire data were subjected to path analyses to clarify the association between childhood maltreatment and the severity of premenstrual symptoms, mediated by personality traits and life stress.ResultsThe 2 path analysis models showed that high harm avoidance (HA) on the TCI and low self-directedness (SD) on the TCI had significant direct effects on the severity of premenstrual symptoms. Moreover, childhood maltreatment was associated with the severity of premenstrual symptoms, both directly and indirectly through personality traits.ConclusionOur findings suggest that HA on the TCI might be a risk factor for severe premenstrual symptoms among general women and furthermore that SD on the TCI may be a protective factor. In addition, childhood maltreatment is associated with severe premenstrual symptoms both directly and indirectly through personality traits.

Victimization in Childhood Mediates the Association Between Parenting Quality, Stressful Life Events, and Depression in Adulthood.

BackgroundVarious stressors during childhood and adulthood, such as experiencing poor parenting, abuse, and harassment, have long-lasting effects on depression. The long-term effects of childhood stressors, such as childhood abuse and inappropriate parenting experiences, on adult depression are mediated by personality traits. In the present study, we hypothesized that parental bonding in childhood influences adulthood depression, and that this association is mediated by childhood victimization experiences and negative life event evaluations in adulthood. To test this hypothesis, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were performed.MethodsA questionnaire survey, including Patient Health Questionnaire-9, victimization scale in childhood, Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and Life Experiences Survey was administered to 449 general adult volunteers (age: 41.1 ± 11.7 years; 196 men and 253 women). Multiple variables were analyzed by multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling.ResultsMultiple regression analysis demonstrated that victimization experiences in childhood affect adulthood depression independently of several other factors. Structural equation modeling showed that the “parental care” subscale of the PBI decreased adulthood depression directly, as well as indirectly through its effects on victimization experiences in childhood and negative life events. On the other hand, the “parental overprotection” subscale of the PBI increased adulthood depression directly, as well as indirectly through its effects on the experience of victimization in childhood and negative life events.ConclusionThe present study indicates that the experience of victimization in childhood is a risk factor of adulthood depression. Furthermore, we found that parenting quality experienced in childhood influences adulthood depression, and that these effects are mediated by the experiences of victimization in childhood and negative life events in adulthood.

Interpersonal Sensitivity Mediates the Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on the Evaluation of Life Events and Anxiety States in Adult Community Volunteers.

BackgroundChildhood maltreatment has long-lasting psychological effects, which often manifest in adulthood. Previous studies have suggested that the effects of childhood maltreatment are not only direct but also indirect, being mediated by other factors. In this study, we hypothesized that the effects of childhood maltreatment on state anxiety in adulthood are mediated by interpersonal sensitivity and the evaluation of life events, and investigated this possibility by covariance structure analysis.Subjects and MethodsSelf-administered questionnaires (Child Abuse and Trauma Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y, Life Experiences Survey, and Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure) were distributed to adult community volunteers in Japan, and 404 eligible responses were collected. A structural equation model was constructed to analyze the direct and indirect effects of childhood maltreatment on state anxiety, with interpersonal sensitivity and the evaluation of life events as potential mediators.ResultsOur model showed that childhood maltreatment increases state anxiety in adulthood both directly and indirectly via interpersonal sensitivity. In addition, interpersonal sensitivity mediated the effects of childhood maltreatment on the negative evaluation of life events, and the negative evaluation of life events mediated the effects of interpersonal sensitivity on anxiety symptoms.LimitationsThere may be possible recall bias owing to the self-administration of the questionnaire. In addition, this study had a cross-sectional design, and hence the results should be validated by a prospective study.ConclusionThe effects of childhood maltreatment on the state anxiety of adult volunteers are not only direct but are also mediated by interpersonal sensitivity. Our results suggest that assessing interpersonal sensitivity may help to determine optimal treatments for patients with anxiety who experienced maltreatment in childhood.